State Minimum Wage Votes Increased Expected To Pass - 11/07/06

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/4584

State Minimum Wage Votes Increased Expected To Pass - 11/07/06

Six states are looking at a possible increase in their minimum wage following today’s election - with the bigger prize potentially being a lift of the federal if Democrats take the House. Jesse Russell has more.

By Jesse Russell

Arizona. Colorado. Missouri. Montana. Nevada. Ohio. Those are the six states putting the question of raising their states minimum wage to voters today. All six states currently have wages equal to the federal minimum of $5.15 per hour - which has not increased in nearly 10 years. The highest wage increases would be in Ohio and Colorado - lifting the lowest paid in those states up to $6.85 per hour. Those six states will join 21 others that have a higher rate then the federal. While all of the wage bills are expected to pass - the big raise could happen if the Democrats gain a majority in the House of Representatives. Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has vowed to break a republican log jam and lift the federal minimum to $7.25 per hour. While the Department of Commerce disagrees with such a move - most economists suggest it would have little negative impact on the economy.

[MGD]

1. I for one voted for the MW increase in Ohio this morning.

I can't understand how an avergae Joe would vote against it. Mean spirited I guess.

[blondeatlast]

2. Arizona will pass it, I'm willing to bet. Then we can overturn "Right=

to-Be-Horribly-Exploited-and Screw-Your-Union-Colleague" laws...